Re[2]: I-131 MCA Patient Room Decon

[RONALD GOODWIN <RONALD_GOODWIN@health.ohio.gov>]

     Best possible use for KI.  I can admit, as an ex-Eplanner, no state 
     should ever recommend across the board distribution of KI for children 
     and young adults as a prophylactic against I exposure during an 
     accident release of RAM following a nuclear incident.
     
     Ronald_Goodwin@health.ohio.gov


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: I-131 MCA Patient Room Decon
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
Date:    2/13/96 9:59 AM


A trick I learned from Bob Black RSO at the VA in Milwaukee WI, I can't take 
credit, is to pour a KI solution down the sink prior to treatment.  This 
will prevent some of the radioactive iodine from getting caught in the trap.
     
I have few ideas why this works but I am not exactly sure.  It may be the 
microorganism in the trap or a simple ionic thing.  Regardless it works.
     
Since Mr. Black doesn't have e-mail and is retiring soon, he probably 
doesn't want to be bothered.  So, if anyone out there wants to know why this 
works e-mail me and I'll ask him.
     
     
Ben Vandre
Radiation Safety Specialist
Medical College of Wisconsin
bvandre@post.its.mcw.edu
     
     
At 08:31 AM 2/13/96 -0600, you wrote:
>Our patient load has increased to the point to where we are seeking ways 
>to radiologically release our treatment rooms faster after the patient 
>has been released. We are primarily having problems with the toilet and 
>sink traps. We advise the patient to flush the toilet 3 times after use 
>and to rinse the sink for 30-45 seconds after use.We currently allow 
>Chlorox to remain in the bowl overnight. Is there any other methods we 
>might try or is anyone out there using any chemical means to expedite 
>cleanup. We currently allow Chlorox to remain in the bowl overnight. 
>Mark E. Campbell
>Health Physicist Supervisor
>Radiation Safety Division
>University of Alabama at Birmingham 
>445 Community Health Services Building 
>933 South 19th Street
>Birmingham, AL. 35294-2041
>(205) 934-9345 - FAX (205) 934-7487 
>
>